The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-08-27


up the bovine train took its place at the rear
AMI oil day bore the discomforts Of the march
with patient fortitude, and la the same man
n.r returned with their friends when the
"cruel war was over Among the families
who fed to the capital were those OF David
Shaver, two Of the Cummings and the wife
OF Preacher Payne, who was most brutall'
bu,chered by the Indians, near Marsei!les'
during that fearful time, She was large
fat. rather coarse and ignorant woman, and
chewel tobacco. She WAS fearful that b.
would be killed, and frequently expressed
her apprebensions Payne had gone to ONO
for money due him lie subsequently re
turned ON horseback, was pursued by Indians
TO near Marselles, where they killed him.
cutting his head off and placing it upon a
stake in a slough on the prairie.
The party remained at Springfield month
and then returned to Ottawa, and some OF
them lived for a time in the fort, MIR. Irum'
bo buiit a small house outside and the family
resided in it for a while. but when an alarm
or scare occurred, " ich was often, they
would all scud inside The palisade. While
here Miss Margaret saw the bodies OF the
i'll. fate ed Ilazleton and Schermerhorn brought
in. She washed their clothing and waited
upon Capt. McFadden, who was shot through
the leg in the Indian ambush at Buck Creek.
lie finally returned to his former home IN
Virginia. The family remained till about
the first Of August, when the war ended'
and then they returned to the farm.
HER NEW HOME IN MISSION.
After this Miss Margaret passed her time
a. did the daughters Of all pioneers, in help.
ing in the house, turning willing ana IN
dustrious hand to every thing that was to be
done, and there was iitrle that she could not
do about farmers place. Her chances for
schooling were limited, except in the splen.
did academy o. practical experience, and
being strong, healthy and sensible young
woman. not afraid of wild horse, let alone
a mouse she graduated with high honors
as pioneers daughter should, taking all the
degrees in the art and science of practical.
every day, good sense. And so, as hereto
fore stated, she became the wife of John 5.
Armstrong. and they settled down in Mis-
sion, year after year adding to their farm
and annually putting away something tor
rainy day. until they in their declining
years have acquired handsome fortune, be-
sides giving each Of their children fine
start in life. Their first house was log
cabin, 32 feet long and l6 feet wide, with two
big doors opposite on the side, fireplace / |
feet vide at one end. A horse drew tremen-
dous beech and other logs through these
DOORS and by handspikes these huge timbers
were placed in position, and then came fam
Gus fires in the winter and the fan and froic
of the children,-gay and happy evenings
to be remembered with sigh by the old
couple, for, though those were days Of labor,
they we're times of hope and happiness, and
before them seemed future of delightful
promise. But, while for life Of patient in.
dustry and, in early days, of much self
denial by more than the common need of
success, still disappoin,ments came, as they
always do to rich and poor. The great sor-
row Of their welded life was caused by the
uutinely death of their eldest son, Abram,
who was called hence in the very prime Of
his days and the midst Of his usefulness.
Their children who lived to maturity were,
Elsie, wife of II X. Parr, at Serena; Abram,
deceased; Joseph, living in Sheridan; jose
phine, wife of Samuel Z. Parr, of Rutland /;
Ben. NJ, in Independence, Kansas. This
worthy old couple have rented their splen-
did farm, near Mission Point, and have
bought comfortable cottage in Sheridan,
where. surrounded by their old neighbors,
near the most Of their children and grand
children, they hope to pass the evening and
twilight of their days in that degree of rest,
peace and que,ude which none but the best
Of the old settlers deserve to enjoy.
J. G. ARMSTRONG.